Nigeria secures double bronze at U-18 Hockey Youth Africa Cup

Nigeria's men's and women's hockey teams both secured bronze medals at the inaugural U-18 Hockey Youth Africa Cup in Nairobi, Kenya. The women's side won their third-place playoff against Ghana with a 4-3 scoreline, while the men's team defeated Uganda 15-2 to claim their bronze.

The women's team achieved their podium finish following a successful group stage where they beat South Africa, Uganda, and Ghana. They repeated their victory over Ghana in the final match to ensure a third-place finish.

The men's team also had a strong tournament, which included a 7-7 draw against South Africa and wins over both Ghana and Uganda. Their final match against Uganda resulted in a 15-2 win to secure the bronze medal.

This competition, which took place between 6 and 8 August, served as the qualification event for the first FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup. The top two teams from both the men's and women's categories earned spots in the World Cup.

Although the third-place finishes meant Nigeria missed out on qualifying for the World Cup, the double bronze medal achievement provides the nation's young players with significant continental experience. The tournament offers a foundation for the development of the country's next generation of hockey talent.